Lagos, Nigeria — In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through both Nigerian and Indian communities, a 41-year-old Nigerian national, Gabriel Onyeka, has been apprehended in Kalyan, Maharashtra, India, for orchestrating a sophisticated cyber fraud that defrauded a Vadodara-based businessman of ₹1.25 crore (approximately ₦250 million).
Key Takeaways:
Mastermind Unveiled: Gabriel Onyeka posed as a senior executive from a reputed pharmaceutical company to lure his victim into a fake business deal.
Elaborate Deception: The scam involved the sale of Plukenetia volubilis, an Ayurvedic product, through a sham company operated by Onyeka.
Illegal Residency: Onyeka had overstayed his visa since 2012, previously booked in 2020 for illegal residency.
Digital Trail: Authorities traced Onyeka through the phone number used during the scam, leading to his arrest.
Seized Evidence: Four mobile phones were confiscated, one containing incriminating evidence of the fraud.
The Story of The Cyberfraud Kingpin Arrest
In a tale that underscores the evolving nature of cybercrime, Gabriel Onyeka’s arrest has highlighted the vulnerabilities in cross-border digital transactions. Disguising himself as a pharmaceutical executive, Onyeka initiated contact with a Vadodara-based businessman, offering a lucrative dealership for Plukenetia volubilis.
The victim, enticed by the prospect of substantial profits, was directed to purchase the product from a supplier, which was, in reality, a fictitious entity controlled by Onyeka himself.
The deception deepened as Onyeka’s accomplices, posing as quality control inspectors, convinced the businessman to make additional investments under various pretexts. Over time, the victim transferred a total of ₹1.25 crore, only to realize the entire operation was a sham.
Investigations revealed that Onyeka had been residing illegally in India since 2012, having overstayed his medical visa. Despite a previous case filed against him in 2020 for illegal residency, he continued to operate under the radar, living in a 2BHK apartment in a high-rise residential complex in Kalyan.
The cybercrime police, led by Assistant Commissioner Mayursinh Rajput, utilized technical surveillance to trace Onyeka’s phone number, leading to his arrest. The seizure of four mobile phones, one containing a screenshot of a WhatsApp message sent to the victim, provided concrete evidence of his involvement in the fraud.
Top Comments from X (formerly Twitter):
@NaijaCyberWatch: “Another wake-up call on the dangers of cyber fraud. Let’s stay vigilant and report suspicious activities.”
@IndiaNewsAlert: “Kudos to the cybercrime unit for apprehending the fraudster. Justice must prevail.”
@GlobalCrimeTracker: “Cross-border cybercrimes are on the rise. International cooperation is key to tackling this menace.”
@TechSavvyCitizen: “It’s alarming how easily trust can be exploited online. Always verify before investing.”
@LegalEagleIndia: “This case highlights the need for stricter visa regulations and monitoring.”
The arrest of Nigerian national Gabriel Onyeka in India for a ₹1.25 crore cyber fraud underscores the escalating threat of international cybercrimes. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in online dealings and the need for robust international cooperation to combat such fraudulent activities.
